Electrotherapeutic apparatus



T. W.-GLEESON. ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 17, 1920- I I Patented Dec. 13, 1921.

Invnijor Thomwt'izeeson, by 240. [QM/1M V I. W. GLEESON. ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC- 17. 1920.

Son.

hat U2 ITd veW/ior: mmWGZee UNITED STATES THOMAS W. GLEESON, 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELEGTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 13, 1921.

Application filed December 17, 1920. Serial N5. 431,372.

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS W. GLEESON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvementiin Electrotherapeutic Apparatus, of which the following description, in con nection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification; like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to electric apparatus for therapeutic use and has for its object to provide improved means for electrically treating and massaging the human body. 7

The usual method employed in the adaptation of electricity to therapy is characterized by the passage of a single current through a relatively extensive portion of the body, which may or may not embrace the parts affected the apparatus essentially consisting of two relatively movable electrodes of opposite polarity which are held in the patients hands or are otherwise attached to the body at well separated points. The benefits, if any, derived by this method of treatment, which involves the stimulation of the general circulatory system of the blood,

\ rent impulses.

are necessarily more or less indirect remote and uncertain. The present invention, on the other hand, is designed to provide a therapeutic agent which is more specific in character and direct in its application to the situs of the disease, and consists essen-' tially in the dissemination directly upon or over the affected part of multiple local currents of reduced voltage in intersecting paths which are constantly shifted. Improved means are provided for regulating the frequency and the intensity of the cur- The desired effects are accomplished in the present embodiment through the medium of an improved holder supporting a series of fixed positive and negative electrodes grouped together in adjacent relation and conveniently arranged for application to any part of the exposed surface of the body, each electrode being disposed adjacent one or more electrodes of the opposite polarity.

By means of suitable attachments my device may be connected in the alternative to any of the usual and convenient sources of electrical supply, such as a portable dry battery, or a standard type of lamp-socket furnishing either a direct or an alternating current.

I also make provision for use in combination with my device of a separate detachable appliance, by means of which the discharge of a single current through an extensive portion of the body in the usual manner may be made independently or in conjunction with the preferred method of treatment to which I have referred.

Referring to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred form of embodiment of apparatus adapted to accomplish the objects of my invention:

Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 are top, bottom, left side and rear end views of the same, respectively;

Fig. 5 is an interior face view of the removable insulation plate forming the bottom of the housing and showing the plan of arrangement of the contacts or electrodes in diagonal lines with their circuit connections;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the middle, looking forward;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view looking rearward on the line 77 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 8 and 9 are interior longitudinal sectional views of the right and left sides of my device, respectively;

Fig. 10 is an interior bottom plan view of the casing and contents, the bottom plate being removed;

Fig. 11 is a detail plan view of the cam member forming a part of the armature control mechanism within the housing;

F ig. 12 isa detail longitudinal sectional view of the slip-plug forming the terminal detachably secured to my device to establish connection with the source of current supp y;

Fig. 13 is a detail side view of one of a pair of detachable hand electrodes and corresponding slip-plug terminal forming an auxiliary attachment to my device; and

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic plan view of an electric system embodying my device.

The present embodiment of my invention constitutes a single unit of apparatus in portable form, possessing all necessary means for the application, regulation and control of multiple local currents. As shown, the casing or housing comprises a hollow metallic shell 1, forming the top and side walls, and a separate bottom 2 of insulation material removably fitted into the shell.

The formation of thecasing is substantially oval in outline in longitudinal section,

the top and bottom surfaces being flat with rounded margins, while the front end is somewhat tapered facilitate its introduction into restricted or recessed parts of the body, such as the armpits and hollows of the neck and face.- The sides of the shell 1 are each formed with a lengthwise groove 3, which is designed to improve its gripping facilities. The bottom 2 is preferably formedon its inner face with an inset marginal flange 2',

which fits into the shell, and is secured in screws 9, 9 to the top of the shell 1. Movably supported in the magnetic field at the exposed end of the core 7 is an armature 10 provided at its upper end with a. reduced extension 10' extending through a suitable opening in the frame and journaled in oppositely arranged bearings 8', 8, secured to-the frame. The armature 10 is arranged to swing toward and away from the core 7,

movements toward the core when under the influence of its attractive force being yieldingly opposed by a spiral contraction spring 11 which is suspended between the upper extremity of the armature and a fixed support 12 provided on the frame 8 and op-.

erating normally to hold the armature in spaced relation to the core. The outer face of the armature 10 is preferably provided with a fabric or leather facing 10 to act as a muffler.

One end of the inductance or magnet winding 6 is connected by a suitable lead, 13 to a switch 14 provided in the rear end of the shell 1, while the opposite end of the winding is connected by a separate lead 15 to circuit.

one of a pair of contact points 16, 17 forming the interrupter mechanism in the main The contact point 16 with which the winding 6 is immediately connected in this instance, is mounted upon the free end of a i ibratile element in the form of a spring-metal strip 18, the opposite end of the strip being secured to an insulation plate 19 attached to the outer leg of the frame 8, the

function of said strip being to hold the contact point 16 normally in engagement with supported at the outer end of a bracket 20 attached to said insulation plate 19. The outer ends of the strip 18 and plate 19 are provided with registering openings 21, 22 through which is extended a threaded rod 23 attached at its inner end to the armature 10 and carrying on its outer end an adjustable nut 24 larger in diameter than said opening 21, said nut being secured on the rod by a set screw 25 and provided with an insulation facing 26 whiclr is adapted to engage the vibratile strip 18 when the armature is attracted toward the core 7 for the purpose of disengaging the contact points and interrupting the circuit.

The stationary contact-point supporting bracket 20 is electrically connected to the socket switch 14 through the medium. of a lead 27 and a press-button switch comprising separate spring-metal strips 28, 29 secured to opposite edges of the insulation plate 19 and having angular free ends which are arranged to extend over the free end of said insulation plate and to overlap each other in such manner that their engagement is established and disestablished by means of I a press button 30 extending through the side wall of the shell and having an exposed outer portion conveniently arranged for manipulation by the operators thumb, said switch being adapted to automatically open the circuit when pressure upon the button 30 is released.

The interruptions of the circuit are subject to regulation by the operator through the medium of the armature whose action is controlled by a rotary button 31 mounted.

on the top of the shell 1 and provided with a pointer 32 indicating its relative position on the scale, 33 formed on the surface of the shell. Said button 31 is removably secured on the outer end of a turning pin 3.4 which extends through the shell and is secured at its lower end in a suitable recess provided in the insulation plate 19 by a set screw 34' and carries centrally a cam member 35 mounted in fixed position thereon between said plate and the shell. Rotation of the button 31 causes the cam to engage the armature 10, moving the latter toward or away'from the core 7, the limits of movement of the cam being fixed by means of a stop 36 seated in the insulation plate 19 and adapted to be engaged by opposite sides of a jaw 37 formed on the margin of the cam. It will be'apparent that the effect of thus regulating the throw of the armature is to increase or reduce its speed and hence to limit the number of impulses of the current.

By means of separate leads 38, 39 connected to points .in the circuit on oppositesides of the interrupter mechanism, namely, to the binding screws 40, 41, which secure the. respective mountings of the contact points the stationary contact point 17, which is 16,17,a shunt circuit is established through the binding posts 42, 43 provided at the rear end of the casing adjacent opposite,

sides of the socket switch 14, said binding posts being slidably engaged by a pair of upright leaf spring terminals 44, 45, secured to the inner face of the bottom 2 when the latter is fitted on the shell 1. The terminals 44, 45, are adapted to place in circuit numerous electrodes 46, 46, etc., 47, 47, etc., distributed over the outer face of the bottom 2 for engagement with the surface of the body, and forming separate series of opposite polarity, each electrode or contact serving as an independent terminal in the circuit and being disposed adjacent one or more Other electrodes or contacts of the opposite series. Said contacts 46, 46, etc., 47, 47, etc.,

are provided with respective stern portions extending transversely through the bottom and connected in series on the interior by means of a system of diagonally arranged metal strips 48, 48, etc., 49, 49, etc., leading to the terminals 44. 45. and suitably insulated from each other at points of intersection, alternate strips being connected to the same terminal.

i I also provide a suitable auxiliary attachment adapted to supply a separate shunt circuit off the terminals 44, 45, which may be directed through extensive portions of the body in the usual manner of therapeutic treatment and is adapted to be employed separately or in coniunction with the system provided for local treatment! .I refer to a pair of separate relativelv movable electrodes in the form of handles 50, 50, which are grasped by the patient in the usual manner, but may be otherwise fashioned for attachment to other parts of the body, said handles being connected by suitable conductors 51, 51 to the binding posts 42, 43 and preferably provided at their opposite ends with slip-plugs 52, 52 which may be inserted into or withdrawn from corresponding recesses or sockets provided in the exposed portion of the binding posts.

Improved means are provided for regulating the strength of the current in the inductance winding. This consists of a separate helix or control winding 53 of enameled or otherwise suitably insulated wire of larger diameter than the wire of the inductance winding, inclosing the latter and wound in a direction opposite thereto. Said control winding provides an independent circuit unconnected with the main circuit, the current induced therein by the combined magnetic fields of the core and main winding flows in a direction opposite to the inductance current and through the medium of its own magnetic field sets up a countercurrent in the inductance winding which offers an, impedance to the current in the latter directly proportionate in strength to the number of its own turns which are brought into its circuit. To regulate or vary the number of turns in the control winding 53, I provide a switch which is adapted to cut in or out any part of the whole number of turns, said switch comprising a rotary button 54 mounted on the top of the shell and carried on the upper end of an upright turning shaft 55 which extends through the shell, the lower end of the shaft being journaled in a bearing 56 secured to the outer face of the winding frame 8 and suitably insulated therefrom, the inner extremity of the shaft being fitted with an arm 57 extending in the direction of and beyond the control winding and carrying at its opposite end a leaf-spring contact 58 adapted to slidably engage the con- .trol winding 53, that part of the surface of the'latter which forms a path for engagement being relieved of its enamel coating to expose the metal. Said contact 58 is preferably formed to provide a resilient loop which is secured at its inner end to a metal carrier 59 in the form of a perforate block mounted to slide on a rod 60 arranged in parallel relation to the control winding 53 and supported at opposite ends on the coreheads 61, 61 inclosing opposite ends of the windings. The carrier 59 is provided terminally with a stud 62 which extends through and moves in av longitudinal slot 63 formed in the outer end of the arm 57, the outer extremity of the stud being burred over a washer 64 carried on the arm.

The control winding 53is connected at one end to the rod 60, while the opposite extremity of the winding forms a dead end secured to one of the insulation core-heads 61. the independent circuit set up in the control winding being completed through portions of the rod 60 and arm 57. Accordingly, as the contact 58 is moved from the position of maximum impedance or current strength, that is to say at the unattached end of the control winding, toward the opposite end of the winding, the turns of the winding are thus successively cut out of the circuit until. the current induced therein is reduced to m'Z, being completely short-circuited upon itself. The button 54 regulating the control winding is provided with a pointer 65, similar to the pointer 32, for registering with a scale 66 provided on the upper surface of the shell and indicating the limits of movement corresponding to the maximum and minimum limits of current strength.

The current supplied to the device is conveyed to the socket switch 14 by a suitable conductor 67, provided with a removable slip-plug terminal comprising a metal tube 68 seated in a hollow insulation holder 69 which is fitted with a removable annular cap 70, the outer end of said tube 68 being fitted with a separate metal tip 71 which is insulated from the body of the tube by a suitable fiber washer 72 and provided with a the portions of said tube and stem within the v holder bein stem portion 73 extending centrally through the tube into the interior of the holder 69,

to the battery through the press-button switch 30, which normally and automatically breaks'the circuit when my device is not in use. The switch 30, which is closed by such slight-pressure from the operators thumb as would naturally be exerted in grasping the device in the hand in the usual way, thus" controls the operation not only of the main or inductance circuit above described, but

also each of the separate shunt circuits which supply currents to the stationary'and movable electrodes. The interruptions of the main circuit occurrin between the contact-points16, 17, are e ected through the medium of the armature 10, whose movements are alternately controlled by the core a 7 and the retraction spring 11, the rod 23 carried by the armature being arranged to displace the vibratile mounting supporting the movable contact-point 16, when the armature is attracted toward the core.

The frequency of interruptions in the main circuit and hence in both shunt circuits above alluded to areregulated by means of the rotary cam member 35 which operates to adjust the position of the armature with relation to the core, the circuit interruptions being increased proportionately as the armature is moved toward the core, this operation being guided by the pointer 32 carried by the button 31 provided on the top of the shell 1 and the corresponding scale 33.

The strength of the current in the inductance circuit is regulated by the outer or control winding 53 which sets 'up an independent current induced by the magnetic field in which it is placed and this in turn reacts upon the main or battery current. This independent circuit is limited to the number of turns of the control winding traversed by the contact-arm 57, the arm itself and the rod on which it slides. Hence in the position of minimum impedance, as When the contact-arm is retracted to the point of connection of'the winding with the rod 60, thus eliminating all turns of the winding from:

the circuit, the current is nil. As the contact-arm is advanced over successive turns of the winding 53 the induced current therein is proportionate in strength to the number of such turns included in the circuit, the movements of said arm being guided by the pointer on the button 54in reference to the scale 66.

The current suppliedto the series of stationary electrodes 46, 46, etc., 47, 47 etc., on the casing bottom 2 is shunted ofi the main circuit by leads 38, 39, connecting opposite sides of the vibrator with th binding posts 42, 43, which are automatically engaged by the spring terminals 44, 45, provided at opposite poles of said series of electrodes, when the bottom 2 is fitted in position on the shell 1 and likewise disengaged when the bottom 1 may be removed for any purpose. The current supplied to the movable electrodes 50, 50, is carried by the conductors 51, 51, which are detachably connected to the binding posts 42, 43, by suitable slip-plugs 52 which are inserted into or withdrawn from-corresponding sockets provid d in the stem of said binding-posts and communicating with the exterior of the shell.

The operation of my device will be readily understood from the foregoing description.

It will be understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiment herein shown and described, and that obviously various substitutions and modifications may be made in the form, arrangement, combina-' tion, or operation of parts, without departing from the purpose and scope of the invention.

I claim:

self-contained portable holder, comprising, in combination, a plurality of positive electrodes and a plurality of negative electrodes all mounted upon the holder, each of said electrodes being arranged inoperative relationship to one or more electrodes of the opposite polarity, means for connecting said electrodes with a source of electric current, and current control means provided on the holder, said control means being susceptible 1. In a device of the class described, a'

of simultaneous manipulation by the hand I of the operator while said hand is employed in operating said device.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a selfcontained portable electric massage device, comprising, in combination, a holder, a pluralityof positive electrodes and-a plurality of negative electrodes all mounted upon the holder, each of said electrodes being arranged in operative relationship to one or more electrodes of the opposite polarity,

means for connecting said electrodes to a source of electric current, and current control means provided on the holder and simultaneously operable by the hand while engaged in manipulating said device;

3. In a device of the class described, the combination, in a unitary structure, ra portable holder, a series of positive electrodes and a series of negative electrodes, all mounted upon said holder and arranged to present each electrode of one series in operative relationship to one or more electrodes of the other series, means for connecting said electrodes with a source of electric current, and means for interrupting said current. v

4. In a device of the class described, the combination, in a unitary structure, of a portable holder, a series of positive electrodes and a series of negative electrodes, all mounted upon said holder and arranged to present each electrode of one series in operative relationship to one or more electrodes of the other series, means for connecting said electrodes with an interrupted electri current, and means for regulating the intensity of the electrical impulses.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination, in a unitary structure, of a portable holder, a series of positive electrodes and a series of negative electrodes, all mounted upon said holder and arranged to present each electrode of one series in operative relationship to one or more electrodes of the other series, means for connecting said electrodes with an interrupted electric current, and means for regulating the frequency of the electric impulses.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination in a unitary assembly of a housing, an electro-magnet and an interrupter mechanism mounted in the housing, means for connecting said electro-magnet and said interrupter mechanism in circuit with a source of electrical energy, means for regulating the intensity of the electrical impulses, means for regulating the frequency of the electrical impulses, a series of positive electrodes and a separate series of negative electrodes arranged on the housing, each of the electrodes'in one series being disposed adjacent one or more electrodes of the other series, and means for establishing and disestablishing the electrodes in both series in circuit with the interrupter mechanism.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination in a unitary assembly of a housing, an electro-magnet andan interrupter mechanism mounted in the housing, means for connecting said electro-magnet and said interrupter mechanism in circuit with a source of electrical energy, means for regulating the intensity and frequency of the electric impulses, a plurality of positive and negative electrodes arranged on the housing, each of the electrodes being disposed adjacent one or more electrodes ofthe opposite polarity, and means for establishing and disestablishing the electrodes in circuit with the interrupter mechanism, including a switch adapted to automatically break the circuit when the device is not in use.

8. An electric apparatus comprising a housing, and electro-magnet and an interrupter mechanism mounted in the housing, means for connecting the electro-magnet and the interrupter mechanism in circuit with a source of electrical energy, a switch for opening and closing the circuit, a plurality of positive and negative electrodes, each of said electrodes being disposed adjacent one or more electrodes of the opposite polarity, means for connecting said electrodes in circuit with the interrupter mechanism, and means for controlling the strength of current impulses, including a winding inclosing the electro-magnet and formin part of a separate circuit, said winding being adapted to set up an impedance to the current in the main circuit, and means for varying the number of turns of said winding included in its circuit.

9. An electric apparatus comprising a housing, an electro-magnet, including a core and a winding disposed about the core within the housing, an armature arranged opposite one end of said core, a vibrator device within the housing, means for detachably connecting said winding and vibrator device to a source of electrical energy, a switch for opening and closing the circuit, a plurality of positive and negative electrodes, each of the electrodes being disposed adjacent one or more electrodes of the opposite polarity, means for connecting said electrodes in circuit with the vibrator device, and means for regulating the frequency of current impulses, including a shaft mounted to rotate in the housing and extending at its outer end through the housing, and a laterally arranged thrust member carried on the inner end of the shaft and adapted when rotated toshift the position of the armature with relation to said core.

10. An electric apparatus comprising a housing, an electro-magnet, including a core and a winding about the core, an interrupter mechanism mounted in the housing, means for placing said winding and interrupter mechanism in circuit with a source of electrical energy, a switch for opening and closing the circuit, separate series of positive and negative electrodes arranged on the housing, each of the electrodes of one series being disposed adjacent one or more electrodes of the opposite series, means in said housing for connecting said electrodes in circuit with the interrupter mechanism, and means carried by the housing for controllin the strength of the current impulses, inclu mg a separate winding inclosing the winding of the electromagnet and wound in an opposite direction, a shaft mounted to rotate in the housing and extending at its outer end through the housing, an arm carried on the lower end of the shaft, a contact carried on the outer end of said arm for successively engaging the turns posite polarity in circuit with the interrupter mechanism and susceptible of use independently or in conjunction with the movable electrodes, each of said stationary electrodes being disposed adjacent one or more stationary electrodes of-the opposite polarity.

12. In an electric apparatus, the combination with a housing, separate series of positive and negative electrodes arranged in fixed position on the housing, each of the electrodes in one series being disposed adj acent 'one'or more electrodes of the other series, an elec-tro-magnet and an interrupter mechanism mounted in the housing, means in said housing for detachably connecting the electro-magnet and the interrupter mechanism in circuit with a source of electrical energy, and means in said housing for shunting said electrodes across the terminals of the interrupter mechanism, of a pair of electrodes of opposite polarity forming separate units detachably connected to the housing and movable relatively to each other, said movable electrodes being connected in. circuit with the interrupter mechanism'an'd operable independently of the fixed electrodes.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination in a unitary assembly of a housing including detachably connected portions, an electro-magnet and an interrupter mechanism mounted in one of said housing portions and arranged in circuit, means for detachably connecting said electro-magnet and interrupter mechanism with a source of electrical supply, a series'of positive electrodes and a separate series of negative electrodes provided on the exterior of the other of said housing portions, and means carried by said last-mentioned housing portion for automatically establishing said electrodes in circuit with the interrupter mechanism when said portion is attached to the remaining housing portion.

14. An electric apparatus comprising a housing, an electro-magnet, including a core and a winding disposed about the core within the housing, an armature arranged opposite one end of said core, a vibrator device within the housing, means for detachably connecting said winding and vibrator device to a source of electrical energy, a switch for opening and closing the circuit, a plurality of positive and negativeelectrodes mounted on the housing, each of the electrodes being disposed adjacent one or more electrodes of the opposite polarity, means for connecting said electrodes'in circuit with the vibrator device, and 'means for regulating the frequency of current impulses, including means for shifting the normal position of the armature with relation to the core.

15. An electric apparatus comprising a housing, an electro-magnet within the housing, including a core and a winding disposed about the core, an interrupter mechanism mounted in the housing, means for placing said winding and interrupter mechanism in circuit with a source of electrical energy, a plurality of positive and negative electrodes arranged on the housing, each of theelectrodes being disposed adjacent one or more electrodes of the opposite polarity, means in said housing for connecting said electrodes in circuit with the interrupter mechanism, and means carried by the housing for controlling the intensity of the current impulses,

including a separate Winding inclosing the windingof the electro-magnet and wound in the opposite direction, said outer winding being arranged in a circuit independent of the main circuit, and means for cutting in or out of its circuit one or more turns of said outer winding.

In testimony whereof,I have signed my name to this specification. r J V THOMAS W. GLEESON. Witnesses: I

' GEORGE F. CLEARY,

MICHAEL T. GLEESON. 

